As a result of its 5-year learning journey, the Transnational Forum for Integrated Community Care (TransForm)
Celebrates the fundamental human characteristics of empathy, compassion, collaboration, connectedness, innovation and concern for equity.
Recognises that Integrated Community Care (ICC) is moving to the forefront of an international policy and practice agenda against the context of problematic trends in society and in the health and care systems embedded within it, including an increase in poverty and inequality and a decrease in democracy and human rights.
Emphasises that ICC is not a new concept, but rather a natural evolution resulting from global thinking on health and care systems and concepts that have been building upon each other over time. It builds upon the 2018 Astana Declaration, a new global commitment to provide primary health care for all, which marks the beginning of a better future for primary care, and on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes, among other key points, universal health coverage, equity, community participation and intersectoral collaboration.
Reflects the understanding that health and wellbeing is produced in communities and achieved by co-productive partnerships and intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaborations, using asset or strength-based approaches.
Commits to shifting away from problem-based, disease-oriented care towards people-driven care, goal-oriented care, taking a person’s life goals as the starting point; as well as to creating more social cohesion, improving population health and addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of health.
Encourages adherence to the seven principles of ICC to guide action in a complex transition: 1) value all actors to become change agents 2) foster local alliances, actively striving for balanced power relationships and mutual trust 3) strengthen community-oriented primary care 4) improve public health and reduce health disparities by addressing determinants of health 5) support healthy and inclusive communities, investing in social care and infrastructure 6) develop the required legal and financial conditions 7) continuously evaluate the community’s health and wellbeing and adapt accordingly.
Underlines the need for structured funding so that countries and regions are supported through a transition phase.
The TransForm community calls upon all those involved in creating the necessary physical, mental and social space to embark in a broad social transition and make integrated community care the new norm. We specifically call on the World Health Organisation, the International Community & Care Networks, European Institutions, Member States, Regional Authorities and Research, Innovation Funding Organisations and Philanthropy networks to:
CONNECT & RESEARCH
By creating and supporting an international (research) community of changemakers, keeping the pulse of ICC beating and driving action.
TEAM UP & ALLY
By making ‘teaming up’ a dominant principle and/or intervention. Joining forces and interweaving ICC at all levels (from nano to macro).
By spreading the word and by identifying, including and involving local community champions.
TEAM PROOF & VALIDATE
By establishing and agreeing on the legitimacy of various models and manifestations of ICC. Having well-grounded effectiveness-principles and a valid and appealing set of performance measures is an enormous added value.
By continuously documenting and communicating the impact and results of initiatives and practices.
ADAPT & EMBED
By persistently inviting all crucial stakeholders to participate, co-design, co-produce and co-govern local variations and practices of ICC.
By avoiding competition between existing models, initiatives or ‘brands’ through supporting existing knowledge, engagements, local movements and advocates.
By keeping ICC in an iterative cycle, customizable to the local ebbs and flows, resistances or windfalls.
FUND & REALLOCATE
By promoting and ensuring resources for ICC initiatives at the national, regional and local level. And moving away from experimentation to structured consolidation.
By enabling shared decision making regarding the allocation and management of available financial resources earmarked for care and well-being.
By studying the practicalities and possibilities of local and neighborhood trusts, pooling public and private financing at the local level.
DECENTRALISE & UPGRADE
By establishing the role of primary care as preferential point of entry, gatekeeper and safety net.
By empowering and by training local communities so citizens and lay experts are able to participate confidently.
By making institutions involved in the education and training of health and welfare professionals socially accountable for ensuring the workforce has the appropriate numbers and skill mix to provide sustainable care.
